Sellersville Gets Cut In Insurance Borough's Smallness Proves To Be A Plus

April 14, 1987|by JILL WENDLING, The Morning Call

Sellersville Borough Council has discovered that being a small town can have its financial advantages. Unlike some larger municipalities that have recently seen their insurance rates double and triple, council last night approved a package offered by Selective Insurance Co., New Jersey, that not only improves its current coverage but costs less than this year's policies.

While Sellersville paid $70,029 last year for four separate policies that covered vehicles, liability and property and fire, the borough last night purchased that coverage from Selective for $56,456.

Council also decided to take advantage of Selective's umbrella policy for $11,360, which provides $1-million worth of liability coverage. For the past four years, the borough wasn't able to secure such a policy.

Holiday House Recreation Center, West Rockhill Township, also will reap some benefits from the switch. Since neighboring West Rockhill Township also went with Selective, the company decided to underwrite the swimming pool policy at municipal rates. The West Rockhill Township-Sellersv ille Joint Recreation Authority, which runs the pool, had paid $19,000 for coverage last year. Selective has proposed a $2,800 base policy and $800 umbrella policy.

In other business, council decided to hold a special meeting at 7:30 p.m. April 27 to consider adopting a 15-year general obligation bond note up to $650,000 for the Town Hall renovations. Council expects to award the project's contract at its May 11 meeting to Branch Valley Associates, Sellersville.

The renovations have forced council to change its meeting locations. Beginning in June, council will meet in a downstairs room at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Green Street.

Council also hired Robert R. Miller Jr. of Tobyhanna as a full-time police officer. Miller, 22, is working part-time for Coolbaugh Township Police Department.